Boston sports team makes a surprising change to their name

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Joshua Deeds
September 6, 2024 (3:25 PM)

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The PWHL filed trademarks for different team names at the beginning of October 2023.

One of those names filed was for Boston PWHL, and the name was "Wicked" which of course would be used in slang terms, if you've read The Hockey News article dropped by Ian Kennedy in November 2023.

In Boston however, Wicked is rarely used in this way. Rather, in New England, "wicked" is used as a degree adverb usually meaning "very" or "extremely." In this case, the Boston Very or the Boston Extremely don't land well. While it was popularized in a single line from the movie Good Will Hunting ("my boy's wicked smart"), the phrase itself as it's tied to Boston, existed long before the 1997 film that won two Academy Awards. In use, Boston residents might say something is "wicked cool" or "wicked awesome," or that the weather outside is "wicked hot."

Or in the case of Boston signee Jessica DiGiloramo, she stated she's "wicked excited to be playing for Boston."

And in terms of local connections, we really can't forget the popular reality TV show based in Gloucester, Massachusetts "Wicked Tuna" which has been running for more than a decade. The show recently wrapped up their 12th season, airing since 2012, and even sparked a spin-off, "Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks" which itself ran for seven years.

While we're coming upon a year since the trademark was filed, will this be the year that the PWHL team in Boston rolls out specialized jerseys, with the trademarked name on the crest?

The name is surprising, but you'd think PWHL Boston would rely upon the Black'N'Gold that's been made famous here. But the PWHL is here to make a name for themselves, and hopefully the jerseys rock!

Source: The Hockey News
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